Automobile radiator cap



April `6 ,`1926.\ l

1,580,026 I E` H, ELLISON AUTOMOBILE' RADIATOR GAP April 6 1926. 1,580,026

E. H, ELLISON AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP Filed Deo. 1 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7C@ 6 ..4 'aa i Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

YUNI-ren STATES PATENT OFFICE..

To all |whom t may concern:

EDWARD H.

ELLIsON, or .,inivrns'ifowN,l New YORK, ASSIGNOR To ELLISON BRONZE COMPANY, INC., orA JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP.

Application inea December 19, 192s. serial No. 681,503.

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. ELL'ISON,

a citizen of the United States, residing atv Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua,

'State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Radiator Caps, of which the following isa description, reference :bein-g had to the accompanying drawin'gand to the ligures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to automobile radiator caps, and more particularly to va cap adapted to support a motometer or, in lieu thereof, an ornamental figure.

@ne of the main objects ofthe inventionl resides in providing an ornamental cap for automobile radiator filling nozzles whichis composed of one or more interchangeable parts whereby, single part, the cap is kadapted for use with any standard make of automobile,and.V also with the substitutionfof a variety ofshapes of another part, the capy as a whole, can be altered in general ornamental appearance so as to provide a variety of'styles of Vcap for any single make of car or ,a distinctive vcap for each automobile manufacturer. I

Still another objectv of this invention resides in providing lan ornamental cap proper having a standard size threaded opening whereby it may be coupled to the filling. nozzle of the radiator and in providing in-4 terchangeable adapters or sleeves,-each of' which has a thread corresponding to the standard thread of the cap proper and leach vj of which has a thread correspondingto the thread of the lling nozzle Vof the predeter#y mined automobile. v .n v

The'partic-ular feature of this invention `in so far as the adapter is concerned, relates to the integrally cast lugs on the adapter whereby it may be easily positioned on :the water filling spout ,of the motor vehicle.

Yet another feature lof vthe invention revlates to the specific construction ofthe threaded surfaces of the adapter and particularly to the means -for locking the adapter to the lling spout and the cap proper to -theadapterto prevent theft.

Yet a further feature of the invention relates to the construction yof the vcap proper with particular reference to the improved manner of mounting the hingedicover and the manner of `clamping it in place whereby to compensate for ,wear and variation in .with the substitution of a pressure about the ventire circumference ofl v the gasket; enables the mounting of the motometer .centrally of the cap, but also permits the bail to swing outof the way so that :the hinged cover can be swung open freely. A further 'object in the particular construction of the bail resides in preserving its symmetrical .ornamental shape while at the same time .arranging it for a swinging movement clear of the hinged cover. y

Yet another object vof the invention lies in .the means for tightly-clamping the bail down on .the hinged cover, which means isv effective irrespective of the ysubstitutionof one` ornamental shape of bail for another when necessary to `change the type of cap` for a particular manufacturer. Y

Another feature of the bail clamping means resides in the construction for preventing feflonious removal ofthe bail.

These and other objects will be apparent from a perusal of the following specifica,- tion when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front 'view of an automobile rediatorr provided with. my improved. cap shown in assembled position 4on thewaterv spout .of the radiator; Y

Fig 2 is a plan view of the capwithout the motometer;v Fig. 3 is aside view of the cap, the latter Y being shown insection;

Fig. 4 .is a section .on the line 4-4 of Fig.3; 1 j n f Fig. 15 is a plan view of theadapter show'-I ing the integral lugs by .which means the adapter is rotated; i

Fig. 6 is a detail of art of the cap; Fig. 7 is a sectional etail viewof the pivotal connection for the bail, and y Fig. 8 is a similar view showingza modi-I fication. 1 v Referring now to the drawings in detail, the radiator 1 is provided with the usual water spout 2, which in .the for-m shown,v is provided with :an Yexterior thread of desired.v

pitch. This threaded radiator water spoutll.

is adapted to receive the automobile radiator cap forming the subject-matter of the present invention. The cap comprises a body portion or cap vproper 3, substantially of open-ended sleeve-like formation, the open top of which is adapted to be closed by a cover hereinafter described. The bottom of the cover proper 3 has an opening of standard diameter, which is interiorly threaded as at 4.

In order to permit this standard body portion 3 to be coupled to the variant sized waA ter spouts of the different makes of automobiles, interchangeable adapters or sleeves are provided, which sleeves are relatively cheap to manufacture in comparison with the cost of preparing separate body portions 3 for eachl type and size of automobile spout. These adapters 5 are provided with an outer diameter of a size corresponding to the inner threaded diameter 4; of the cap proper 3, and with a lower threaded portion 6 of a diameter corresponding in size to the diameter of the filling spout of the particular automobile to which the cap is to be attached. Thus, by providing a plurality of adapters, each of which has a standard upper threaded portion to connect to the standard lower opening of the body portion 3, and each of which has its predetermined threaded opening to fit the selected automobile, great economy in manufacturing costs can be effected. In the specific details of construction, the adapter 5 is provided above the inner screw thread 6 with a recess 7 in which is seated a gasket 3. This gasket abuts an overhanging ledge 9 so that whenY the adapter is screwed upon the filling spout, the upper end of the spout will firmly press the gasket against the ledge and make a. water-tight connection.

It will be obvious that the adapter can be provided with a threaded portion on its lower exterior surface to engage with a corresponding thread on the inner wall of the filling spout, the same being more or less a reversal and arrangement of parts. The upper surface of the overhanging ledge 9 is provided at substantially diametrical points with two upstanding lugs 10 and 11 which are preferably cast with the adapter 5. As illustrated clearly in Fig. 5, these lugs are disposed so that a rigid rod can be inserted therebetween so that the adapter can be secured tightly upon the filling spout. It is obvious that other arrangements of these lugs is contemplated.

In order to prevent felonious removal of the adapter from the filling spout, the lower wall of the adapter is provided with a bore 12 extending clear through the same, in which bore a threaded screw 13 is disposed,

`which screw is provided with an inset recess for the reception of an angularly shaped turning wrench 14. This coupling of the.

adapter to the filling nozzle may be made permanent by inashing a small lead shot into the recess of the screw 13 so that it cannot be turned by any instrument. In a similar manner, there is provided means for permanently locking the adapter to the cap proper` 3, and this comprises a radial bore 15 projecting through the upper wall of the adapter 5. In the form illustrated, this bore is drilled through the upstanding lug 10 and is threaded to receive a locking screw 16 having an inner recess to receive the angular turned end of the wrench 14. In a like manner, a lead shot is inserted in the recess of this screw 16 and machined, so that the screw cannot be moved.

Above the inner thread t on the lower portion of the cap proper 3 is a recess in which seats a packing 17 which abuts an overhanging ledge 18, thereby forming a firm seat on the water-tight connection when the adapter and cap proper 3 are secured tightly together.

The upper open end of the cap proper 3 is provided with an annular inwardly projecting seat 18 having a concentric recess adapted to seat a gasket 19. This open upper end of the cap body is adapted to be closed by a cover 2O which not only forms a water and steam-tight cover for the radiator spout, but also forms a support for the usual motometer or other ornamental device carried by the cap. This cap is provided with an improved mea-ns for clamping it firmly upon the gasket 19, with substantially uniform pressure around the entire circumference of the gasket, which means is additionally constructed to permit the motometer or other ornament to be mounted centrally of the cover 20. In addition, the novel construction permits the cover clamping means to be swung clear of the usual hinged connection between the cover 20 and the body 3, so that the cap of cover 20 may be swung fully open when it is desired to fill th-e radiator. In the present embodiment, the cap 2O is shown with a hinged c-onnection 21 preferably located directly at the rear of the body 3. For the purpose of compensating for irregularities in the thickness of the gasket 19, due to wear and defects in manufacture, the hinge is provided with au elongated slot 22 so thatthe cover can adjust itself to these conditions. In order to provide the necessary downward pressure of the cover on the gasket, there is provided a bail 23 which is arranged to press down upon the cover on substantially opposite sides of a line passing diametrically through the cover, so that the pressure will be applied at two points through the center line of the cover. In this way, a uniform downward distribution of the pressure is provided. The bail 23 is pivoted to the diametrically opposite sides of the body 3, and

23,7which Y Y downwardly projecting-.flange 32y .suitablyV tov this end, thebody is formedv with outstanding lugs 24 and 25,which lugs form housings for thepivotal/mounting ofthe bail. As illustrated clearly in'Fig. 7, each one of' these'lugs is provided with a vertically arranged 'recess 26v adapted to house t a plunger 2 7 which has a vertical sliding motion in the recess 26. formed with-portions of't'wo diameters, a lower larger diametrical portion andan upper stem 28 ofsmaller diameter.V The stem 28has coiled therearound a spring 29 which operates to normally press the plunger 27 downwardly. The stem 28 not only acts as a guide to holdplunger 27 `in verticalk position, but it also serves to 'prevent damage to the spring, when the thread on 30 is being mutilated, as in Fig. 7, or when the indentation 27 is `being driven in, as in Fig. 8. lhenpl-'unger27 is pushed up as far assit will go, the stem will then touchthe roof ofv thehole in housing-24. 'The stem will then takey the impact when the bolster 27 is being` hammered in. The to-p ofstem `will touch the roof, before 30 will touch the top of elongated hole 31. The lower larger diameter of the plunger 27 is provided with a cross lbore which is internally threaded to receive apin 30 provided on its inner end with a corresponding threaded portion. The'outer portion of this pin projects through aV slot 31 in the outer wall of the lug 25'. On the outerv end of the pin 30 is pivotally mounted the lower arm or -bail lower arm is provided with a bored to receive this pin 30. The bottom of the plunger .27 is likewise provided with a bore 27 therethrough, which permits the vmutilation of the threads of the pin 30 to prevent the removal of the bail from the body.

As an alternative 'formof this construction, that vof Fig. V8 is-illus'trated. In this form, the pin 30 is not threaded at its inner end but is provided with a groove 30', and furthermore, the plunger 27 is not bored,

but is adapted to be struck inwardly as at" 27 so that the pin'cannot be withdrawn after itis once assembled. v v Y bviou'sly, the opposite pivotal connection issimilarly constructed.'v The vupper portion ofthe bail 23 preferably extends laterally on each side of theV body portion 3-toy proi vide symmetrically shaped wings, theupper portions of which fold or extend inwardly on ya line passing centrally through the middle of the cap, substantially to a point 33 on each side thereof, at which point the extension then curves backwardly and concentrically around the cap .as at the point 34 (see Figures 2 and 3). The vupper surface of the cap proper 3' atsubstantially op- ,posi'te points in line with the extensions 35V of the bail is provided with upstanding lugs This plunger is` These lugs are preferably provided at theirl forward ends with upstanding nibs 37 which have rearwardly -sloping surfaces 38, .so that when the bail `is swung 4about its pivotalv points the upstanding nibs 37 to limit the further `forward movement of the bail relatively to thecap. Asthe bail is thus swung upwardly, the -inclined surfaces 38 will'pull on the lower pivotal portions of the bail 23, thus pulling the pivot pins 30 upwardly in their` `slots 31 and putting the springs 26 under compression. This constitutes a very effective means for resiliently holding the bail in clamping position against Vthe cap and in4 the pins 30 andswing so that the curvedI por- Y tion 35 is entirely clear 'ofthe' hingedconne'ctions 21, so that the cap 2O can then be thrown open to Afull position and will not be interfered with by the bail.

30, the extensions 35 will'ride up the -inclined surfaces 38 and Vwill abut v,against From aninspection of Fig. 1, it isevident that by the,V

arrangement above described, the distance between the'pivotal pin 30 for the 'bail'and the lower portion of the extension 35/"is f made at a minimum.. This permits the bailV to swing free of the hinged cover, andv at the Sametime, permits the use of a bail that does not project upwardly too high, which would not be consonant with good design. In order yto make this clear, for'instance, if p the extension 35 of the bail extended straight across thecen'ter of they cap and did notl curve back as at the portion 34, it' would be necessary to greatly increase the distance between the pivotal pin '30 and thev extension 35 to thus permit the bail to swing1 suiiiciently out of the way to permit the' cover to be opened. It will also be evident that by meansof the spring connection 29, it.

is not necessary to depend upon the inclined surfaces 38 of .the lugs 36 to wedge the cover tightly against its gasket, sincev in interchangeable bails,-where, for instance, an automobile manufacturer desires tohave a .dierent shaped bail, the clamping action might be seriously impaired due to slight difference in distance between the pivotal pin 30 and the lower portion of the extension '35. y

It will be obvious that a device vas above constructed, possesses many advantages from the standpointl of cheapness in manufacture, and 'also in economy of use, since'by substituting the interchangeable adapters 5 for each different size of water spout of a particular automobile made, the cap may 'be used without'further alteration of the standard type of cap. Also by providing bails of variant shapes and design, each of which includes as an essential functional element, the pivotal pin construction and the upper bail extension 35 adapted to cooperate with the lugs 36 on the cap, great economy in manufacture and cost can be made, since the remaining outline of features of the bail can be altered to suit the taste of the particular manufacturer, provided, however, the concentrically circular portion 34 of the bail is incorporated so that the bail can swing rearwardly out of the way of the hinge con nection 21 of the c ap.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus ydescribed the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is-

1. A device of the class described comprising an open-top cap body adapted for connection to the filling spout of an automobile radiator, a cover for said cap provided with a central bore for the reception of the sleeve of an upstanding motometer or the like, a hinge connection between said cap body and cover, and a bail pivoted to said cap body and provided with an extension adapted to engage diametrically opposite portions of said cap, said bail and extension being constructe'd and arranged to permit said bail to swing clear of the top whereby to permit unrestricted opening of said cap.

2. A device of the class described com prising a cap body adapted to be connected to the filling spout of an automobile radiator and having an open top provided with a concentric gasket seat, a cap having hinged connection at the rear of said body, a bail pivotally connected to thev lower opposite portions of said body and having upward extensionsI extending inwardly to engage upstanding lugs on said cap located in the plane of said bail pivot, said extension comprising an intermediate portion bowed outwardly substantially `in the plane of the cap hinge whereby said bail can swing clear of the cap to permitit unrestricted opening.

3. A device of the class described comprising a cap body adapted for connection with the filling spout of an automobile radiator and formed with an open top provided with a concentric gasket seat, a cap hinged to the rear of said body and provided with upstanding lugs arranged on opposite sides of a line passing centrally through said cap and at right angles to a line passing centrally through said cap and center of said hinge, a bail pivoted to the lower portion of said body on opposite sides thereof and in line with said lugs, said lugs having rearwardly inclined surfaces adapted to engage said bail extensions when said bail is swung into locking position whereby said cap is forced on to said gasket seat.

t. A device of the class described coinprising a cap body adapted to be connected to the filling spout of an automobile radiator, said body having an open top concentrically surrounded by a plane surface having a gasket seat therein, a cap hinged to the rear portion of said body, a bail pivotally connected to said body on opposite sides thereof and adapted to swing over said cap to engage opposite sides thereof, said pivotal connection between the bail and the body being constructed and arranged to shift vertically upon the clamping movement of said bail.

5. A device of the class described comprising a cap body adapted for attachment to the filling spout of an automobile radiator, said body having an open top, a cap hinged to said top, bail housings on opposite sides of said body, a vertically movable plunger arranged in each housing, a spring in said housing adapted to normally force said plunger downwardly, a pin carried by said plunger and projecting through the elongated slot in said housing, a bail ear pivotally carried by each pin, said bail being constructed and arranged to swing over said cap and to engage opposite sides thereof to press said cap firmly into closing position.

C. A device of the class described coniprising a cap body adapted for attachment to the filling spout of an automobile radiator comprising an open top, a cap hinged to said top, housings on opposite sides of said body, a vertically shiftable plunger arranged in each housing, a spring confined in said housing, and adapted to force said plunger normally downwardly, a pin carried by each plunger projecting outwardly through the elongated slot in said housing, means for preventing the removal of said pin from said plunger, a bail having portions pivotally mounted on each of said pins, said bail being constructed and arranged to swing over the top of said cap and to engage the opposite sides thereof to clamp the same to said body.

7. A device of the class described coinprising a cap body adapted for attachment to the filling spout of an automobile radiator cap, and provided with an open top and a concentrically surrounding gasket seat, a cap hinged to the rear rim of said body and provided with a central aperture for the reception of the stem of a motometer or like ornament, bail housings arranged on opposite sides of the body and provided with outwardly projecting pins, a bail having downwardly extending portions pivotally mounted cn said pins and having an upper portion extending over said cap and adapted to engageopposite sides thereof to exert downward pressure uniformly about the circumference of said gasket7 said bail having a rearwardly bowed or curved portion eX- tending substantially in a curved plane in line with the hinged connection whereby said bail may be swung clear o-f said hinged connection so that said cover may open to its fullest extent and free of said bail.

8. A device lof the class described coniprising a cap body adapted for` attachment to the filling spout of an automobile radiator and provided with an ope-n topv surrounded by a concentric gasket, a cap hingedk body and provided with a central opening for the reception of a motoineter or the like ornament, said cap having formed integral therewith on opposite sides of said opening, t-wo upstanding lugs provided with inclined surfaces and to th-e rear of s aid forward stop abutments, said body having in line with said lugs, housings arranged on opposite sides thereof and provided with vertically shiftable pivot pins, a bail provided with downward extensions pivotally mounted on said pins and having an upper portion adapted toA swinfr across said cap to engage t e inclined surfaces of said opposed lugs,l said bail including an intermediate bowed portion curved rearwardly whereby when said bail is pivloted rearwardly to theseV pivot pins, the

curved portion will swing clear of the hinged connection between the radiator cap and the radiator body.

In testimony whereof, ture.

I affix my signa` diametrically EDWARD H. ELLISON. y 

